Portable reusable anti-microbial apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable reusable anti-microbial cleaning apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sponge; and a cloth that at least partially encloses the sponge, wherein the cloth includes a silver material. In some embodiments: the silver material is in the form of silver threads; the silver material is a non-silver thread that is impregnated with silver; the silver material is in the form of a silver plating on a conductive material; the cloth is in the shape of a sleeve; and the sponge includes a silver infusion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/242,791, filed Oct. 16, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to a portable and reusable anti-microbial apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can live in a number of places that are common for persons to touch. Some products exist to help sanitize surfaces and/or a person's skin, however these products typically are not reusable, thereby contributing to waste. Additionally, these products frequently are chemical based, toxic, cumbersome to transport, inconvenient to use, not lasting in efficacy, and/or not multi-purpose for use of hands and bodies as well as surfaces and electronic devices.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a new portable and reusable anti-microbial apparatus.

SUMMARY

Portable reusable antimicrobial apparatuses are provided. In some embodiments, a portable reusable anti-microbial cleaning apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sponge; and a cloth that at least partially encloses the sponge, wherein the cloth includes a silver material. In some embodiments: the silver material is in the form of silver threads; the silver material is a non-silver thread that is impregnated with silver; the silver material is in the form of a silver plating on a conductive material; the cloth is in the shape of a sleeve; and the sponge includes a silver infusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.

FIG. 1A shows a top view of an example of a wearable anti-microbial apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1B shows a front view of an example of a wearable anti-microbial apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1C shows a picture of a top view of an example of a wearable anti-microbial apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of an example of a portable anti-microbial apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2B shows a picture of a top view of an example of a portable anti-microbial apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a scrubbing anti-microbial apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a portable reusable anti-microbial apparatus is provided.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the anti-microbial apparatus described herein can include a silver cloth (i.e., a cloth containing the element silver) and a strap attached to the silver cloth such that the silver cloth can be worn by a user (e.g., around a wrist of the user) such that the user can conveniently and/or ergonomically apply the silver cloth to an area of the user's body in order to sanitize the area without the use of chemicals. For example, the anti-microbial apparatus can be configured to be worn around the wrist or arm of the user such that a user can wipe the nose and/or mouth of the user, sanitizing the nose and/or mouth.

In some embodiments, the anti-microbial apparatus described herein can include a portable and attachable pouch configured to hold one or more silver cloths. For example, the pouch can include a strap and/or clip for attaching to a person or to an accessory. The clip can, for example, be configured to attach to a backpack, purse, or belt loop such that a user can conveniently and/or ergonomically access the one or more silver cloths.

In some embodiments, the anti-microbial apparatus described herein can include a silver cloth configured to be worn about the neck and/or face of a user. For example, the silver cloth can have a shape and a size appropriate for use as a neck gaiter, a scarf, and/or any other suitable form of neck apparel. As another example, the silver cloth can have a shape and a size appropriate for use as a face mask. As a more particular example, the silver cloth can include holes and/or openings configured to not cover the eyes, nose, nostrils, and/or mouth of a user. As another more particular example, the silver cloth can have a size and a shape appropriate for covering the mouth, nose, and/or nostrils of the user (e.g., as appropriate for use as a surgical mask).

In some embodiments, the anti-microbial apparatus described herein can include an absorbent material (e.g., sponge) attached to a silver cloth such as to allow a user to sanitize a surface by scrubbing (e.g., a kitchen counter).

Turning to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, an example 100 of a wearable anti-microbial apparatus is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As shown, in some embodiments, wearable anti-microbial apparatus 100 can include a silver cloth patch 102, a strap 104, and an adjustable strap mechanism 106.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can include any material suitable for integration with silver. For example, silver cloth patch 102 can include nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, wool, metal, and/or any other suitable material. As a more particular example, silver can be impregnated into a portion of nylon threads, such that a portion of silver cloth patch 102 has silver on its surface. In another more particular example, silver threads can be woven with nylon threads such that a portion of the silver threads are on the surface of silver cloth patch 102. As yet another more particular example, silver can be conductively plated onto a conductive material (e.g., a material made from a conductive thread), and/or plated using any other suitable method of silver plating.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-C, silver cloth patch 102 can have a flat, rectangular shape. As another example, silver cloth patch 102 can have a shape that is folded such that it can be unfolded to expose a larger surface area.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can be attached to strap 104 in any suitable fashion. For example, silver cloth patch 102 can be permanently attached to strap 104 (e.g., by sewing or gluing). As another example, silver cloth patch 102 can be removably attached to strap 104, such as by a hook and loop fastener, a button, and/or a snapping mechanism.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can be attached to any portion of strap 104. For example, silver cloth patch 102 can be attached to strap 104 such that the full width of silver cloth patch 102 spans the full width of strap 104, such as to allow a user to bring silver cloth patch 102 in contact with the user's skin without making contact with strap 104.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can have any suitable size. For example, silver cloth patch 102 can have a size suitable for making complete contact with both nostrils of a person's nose.

In some embodiments, silver cloth patch 102 can be washable. For example, silver cloth patch 102 can include materials that are non-reactive with water and/or with cleaning products. As a more particular example, silver cloth patch 102 can include silver, nylon, cotton, and/or any other suitable material that does not reactive with water or cleaning products.

In some embodiments, adjustable strap mechanism 106 can be any mechanism suitable for adjusting the diameter of the strap. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, can be a mechanism which includes two loops through which strap 104 can pass through, such as to allow a user to reduce the diameter of strap 104 by moving strap 104 back or forth between the loops of adjustable strap mechanism 106.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an example 200 of a portable anti-microbial apparatus is shown, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As shown, in some embodiments, portable anti-microbial apparatus 200 can include an attachment mechanism 202, pouch material 204, and pouch closure 206.

In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 202 can be any mechanism suitable for removable attachment to an accessory of a user. For example, attachment mechanism 202 can be a clipping mechanism, such as a carabiner. In such an example, a user can clip the carabiner to a purse, the strap of a bag, a belt loop, a back pack, and/or any other suitable user accessory. As another example, attachment mechanism 202 can be a strap of hook and loop fasteners, a strip of material joined with a button, snap, or clasp, a magnet, and/or any other mechanism suitable for attachment to an accessory.

In some embodiments, pouch material 204 can be any suitable material. For example, pouch material 204 can be nylon, silk, cotton, and/or any other suitable material.

In some embodiments, pouch material 204 can be a anti-microbial material. For example, pouch material 204 can be a silver cloth as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C.

In some embodiments, pouch closure 206 can be any suitable mechanism for allowing portable anti-microbial apparatus 200 to be opened, closed, and/or accessed by a user such that silver cloths (e.g., the silver cloth patch as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, pouch closure 206 can be a flap of pouch material 204. As a more particular example, the flap can extend marginally past the opening of pouch 200, and attached to pouch material 204 such that the flap tends to remain closed absent force from a user. In such a more particular example, the flap can be sized such as to allow a user to conveniently and/or ergonomically access the inside of the pouch with their fingers or hand.

Turning to FIG. 3, an example 300 of a scrubbing anti-microbial apparatus is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated, in some embodiments, scrubbing anti-microbial apparatus 300 can include an anti-microbial material 302, an absorbent material 304, and silver infusions 306.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial material 302 can be any suitable anti-microbial material. For example, anti-microbial material 302 can be a silver cloth as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1C.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial material 302 can be attached to an absorbent material 304 using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, anti-microbial material 302 and absorbent material 304 can be sewn, glued, fused, and/or any suitable method of attachment.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial material 302 can be configured to cover all or a portion of absorbent material 304. For example, anti-microbial material 302 can be configured to form a pouch, sack, wrapping, envelope, and/or any other suitable form capable of containing and/or wrapping around absorbent material 304.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial material 302 and absorbent material 304 can include materials which are non-reactive with water and/or with cleaning products, as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A-C.

In some embodiments, absorbent material 304 can be any suitable absorbent material. For example, absorbent material 304 can be a sponge, a microfiber, luffa, animal hair, cloth, and/or any other suitable absorbent material.

In some embodiments, absorbent material 304 can be infused with silver infusion 306 using any suitable techniques. For example, silver infusion 306 can be silver threads and/or a thread of another material coated in silver. As yet another example, absorbent material 304 can be coated in silver. As still another example, absorbent material 204 can be silver plated (e.g., via conductive plating). In some embodiments, silver infusion 306 can be omitted.

Turning to FIG. 4, an example 400 of an anti-microbial apparatus that can be worn on the face of a user is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated, anti-microbial apparatus 400 can include an anti-microbial material 402 and an attachment mechanism 404.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial apparatus 400 can be configured to allow a user to wear anti-microbial apparatus 400 in front of the user's nose and/or mouth in order to sanitize the air inhaled and/or exhaled by the user. For example, anti-microbial material 402 can be configured such that it can be positioned over the nose and/or mouth of the user when anti-microbial apparatus 400 is being worn.

In some embodiments, anti-microbial material 402 can be any suitable anti-microbial material. For example, anti-microbial material 402 can be a silver cloth as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1C.

In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 404 can be any suitable attachment mechanism. For example, as shown, attachment mechanism 404 can be a band configured to allow a user to fasten the band behind the ears of the user, thereby securing anti-microbial apparatus 400 over the mouth and/or nose of the user. As another example, attachment mechanism 404 can be a string, rope, rubber band, lace, any other suitable attachment mechanism, and/or any suitable combination thereof.

In some embodiments, at least some of the above described parts of the anti-microbial apparatus of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3, and 4 can be omitted.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable reusable anti-microbial cleaning apparatus, comprising: a sponge; and a cloth that at least partially encloses the sponge, wherein the cloth includes a silver material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the silver material is in the form of silver threads.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the silver material is a non-silver thread that is impregnated with silver.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the silver material is in the form of a silver plating on a conductive material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cloth is in the shape of a sleeve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sponge includes a silver infusion. 